VOTE FOR YOUR 4 FAVORITE NONPROFITS HELPING KEEP KENTUCKY HEALTHY

We are preparing to start production on our 8th episode of the educational television series kNOwMORE. This show will feature Nonprofits & Health and highlight nonprofit organizations throughout the state who help keep Kentucky physically healthy. Your input is important! We’d like to cover stories on 4 different local Kentucky agencies. So let us know your favorite four.

This episode will be available for broadcast throughout the state on KET in early 2014. The full show will also be streamed on-demand, on-line. We are continually seeking sponsors and underwriters for this important awareness campaign. If you know of any individuals or entities that may be interested, please have them contact us. Thanks for your help and support.

Vote by using the POLL IN THE RIGHT SIDEBAR of our website. Voting is open through October 3rd so PLEASE VOTE TODAY for your TOP 4 Agencies to be featured on our 8th episode.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH AGENCY

KNOW MORE or NO MORE. | Get involved today

ABOUT: FRANKLIN COUNTY CENTER OF AGING http://fccoa.com/
Mission, History of Organization:Our mission is to enable and empower the aging citizens of Frankfort and Franklin County, to maintain dignity and independence in their homes for as long as possible by providing opportunities for socialization, health promotion, benefits counseling, transportation services, recreation and exercise programs, adult day care, caregiver support, and nutritious meals.

Problem being Addressed:
The Franklin County Council on Aging, Inc. (FCCOA) was established in 1966. Membership is open to any resident of Franklin County aged sixty and over or to those with a spouse 60 or older.

ABOUT: FRONTIER NURSING UNIVERSITY www.frontier.edu
Mission, history of organization:
The Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is a private, non-profit, non-residential graduate school of nursing offering community-based, distance education programs leading to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, the Master of Science in Nursing Degree and/or post-master’s certificates in advanced practice nursing specialties. Our mission is to educate nurses to become competent, entrepreneurial, ethical and compassionate nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who are leaders in the primary care of women and families with an emphasis on underserved and rural populations.

Problem being addressed:
With a predicted shortage of primary care as the population grows and as millions of people become newly insured starting in 2014, it is no surprise that one of the main proposed solutions is for nurse practitioners to fill that gap and to utilize their full scope of practice by providing preventive and acute health care services.  With the great need for more primary care providers, FNU is providing a solution by educating nurse practitioners who are focused on rural and under-served populations and are helping to meet the healthcare needs of our country.  In fact, FNU started the first family nurse practitioner program in the US after realizing the need to care for the entire family and not just women.

What would happen if organization disappeared:
By focusing on educating nurses and midwives to serve women and families, FNU continues to following the mission it has held for nearly 75 years.  If FNU ceased to exist, the effect on the number of nurses with access to affordable and flexible graduate education would decrease significantly. Less nurse practitioners would mean less providers to take those primary care positions in rural communities across the US and especially in FNU’s home state of Kentucky which in turn means there wouldn’t be enough options for our population when they are sick or in need of care.

ABOUT: KENTUCKY PINK CONNECTION http://www.kypinkconnection.com/
Mission, History of Organization:
To provide support by reducing and/or eliminating barriers to screening, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Problem being Addressed:
The Kentucky Pink Connection program serves breast cancer patients on a personal basis by reducing and/or eliminating barriers to screening, diagnosis, and treatment.  This common-sense approach that was launched by Dr. Harold P. Freeman, a cancer surgeon in the Harlem community for over 40 years has had the remarkable effect of increasing retention, diagnostic and treatment resolution rates.Typical barriers that our patient navigator might address include child care needs, transportation issues, lack of financial resources, insurance difficulties, wigs and mastectomy supplies.

We strive to educate women about the importance of having their mammograms. The Kentucky Pink Connection program can link women without insurance to resources that provide low-cost mammograms.

ABOUT: KIDS CANCER ALLIANCE www.kidscanceralliance.org
Mission, History of Organization:
The mission of Kids Cancer Alliance is to enhance the quality of life for kids with cancer and their families through camp, recreational, and support programs.
Beginning with our first oncology camp in 1981, thousands of brave and amazing kids have found a reprieve from fighting cancer and a powerful alliance of support.
Over the years, we’ve expanded and created new programs to meet the needs of the families we serve. We provide sibling and family programs, in-hospital and financial support, quarterly events and more. And thanks to our donors and volunteers, it’s all still absolutely free for everyone.

Problem being addressed:
While childhood cancer medical treatments have come a long way over the past 20 years, there is still a lack of emotional & psychosocial resources available to address the unique needs children faced with cancer experience. Many children with cancer are isolated from their peers due to immonosurpression, experience fear and anxiety related to their disease and treatment, and often don’t know how to express their feelings. At Indian Summer Camp we aim to give children with cancer the opportunity to socialize with other children who know what they are experiencing, teach them healthy recreational activities to deal with stress, and give them a safe, loving place to express their feelings and to just have fun. We want to provide them with a place where they can escape their illness and just be a kid again instead of a cancer patient.

What would happen if organization disappeared:
If our organization and our programs did not exist, many children with cancer and their family members would suffer from higher rates of depression, PTSD, loneliness, fear, and isolation. Our programs give them hope, let them bond with others in their same situation so they know they are not alone in their battle, and they have opportunities to have fun like all kids should have. Our programs build self confidence, self-reliance, and teach self-expression and positive ways to deal with stress. Without these programs, many children with cancer would have lower self esteem, low self-worth, and few coping skills.

ABOUT: KOSAIR CHARITIES FACE IT MOVEMENT http://faceitabuse.org/
Mission, history of organization:
Kosair Charities mission is to protect the health and well-being of children in Kentucky and Southern Indiana by providing financial support for clinical services, research, pediatric healthcare education, and child advocacy.

Problem being addressed:
Kosair Charities along with 20 other children’s agencies launched a movement called “Face It” to help end Child Abuse in Kentucky and Southern Indiana by 2013.
Child abuse has a thousand faces.

The face of the parent who knows it and knows it won’t stop until they speak out. The face of the teacher who suspects it and says so. The face of the coach who knows the difference between tough love and a hurting child. The face of the pastor who chooses to be a guardian angel. The face of the neighbor who hears it and raises their voice against it.

What would happen if organization disappeared:
Child Abuse Stats would continue to increase – we want to lower the percentages below:
During 2012 out of the estimated 173,000 children in Jefferson County:
•        11,012 children were involved in reports of suspected child abuse or neglect made to child protection services.
•        5,084 investigations of suspected child neglect were conducted.
•        2,774 children were victims of substantiated abuse or neglect.
•        1,918 investigations of suspected physical child abuse were conducted.
•        425 investigations of child sexual abuse were conducted.

ABOUT: MISSION LEXINGTON DENTAL CLINIC http://www.missionlexington.org/dental-clinic.html
Mission, history of organization:
The Mission Lexington Dental Clinic is a free clinic serving uninsured adults in Fayette County, Kentucky whose earnings place them at or below the federal poverty level.

Problem being addressed:
Many adults under the poverty level don’t have access to dental care, but it’s important for overall health.

ABOUT: RAPHA MINISTRIES, INC. http://www.raphahealthcare.org
Mission, history of organization:
The mission of RAPHA Ministries is to honor and glorify God by providing quality medical care to uninsured individuals in Clark County, while also ministering to their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Problem being addressed:
Clark County, like every county in Kentucky, has far too many individuals who are medically uninsured.  As a result, many persons residing in Clark County live less than optimal lives due to untreated illnesses and diseases.  Many are unable to secure employment or have satisfying social relationships simply because of the limitations that physical/emotional symptomatology creates in their lives.

Rapha Ministries plays a vital role in ensuring that all Clark County citizens have access to primary healthcare; therefore, allowing all Clark County individuals the opportunity to improve their health status. Rapha currently has three employed staff, including a part-time Physician’s Assistant.  In addition, we have four volunteer physicians along with volunteer nurses, and administrative persons.  Rapha serves as primary care provider for approximately 250 patients.

Rapha provides laboratory and pharmaceutical assistance, while overseeing radiology, physical therapy, and specialist physician referrals.  There is a continuous stream of new patients while many of our other patients “graduate” from Rapha due to qualifying for disability benefits, being eligible for Medicare, or acquiring private health insurance.  Without a doubt, Rapha Ministries plays an integral role in the health status of Clark County’s citizenry.

What would happen if organization disappeared:
If Rapha Ministries were to cease to exist,  I would venture to say that there would be a true “loss” in Clark County, especially for those who are oftentimes overlooked and forgotten in society.  Hopefully, Clark County will not have to experience this “loss” as this very gracious community continues to financially and prayerfully support Rapha Ministries.

ABOUT: SURGERY ON SUNDAY http://www.surgeryonsunday.org/
Mission, History of Organization
Surgery On Sunday, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides essential outpatient surgical services for free to income-eligible individuals and families who do not have health insurance and are not eligible for federal or state assistance.

Problem being Addressed
Surgery on Sunday, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides essential outpatient surgical services for free for those in need who cannot afford insurance and who are not eligible for federal or state programs. Patients are referred from existing organizations in the community and receive much needed surgical procedures. Our services are provided by doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to reach out to those in need.